The Secret Show - Impressionist Road Map of the West

Matthew Davies, vocalist for increasingly mainstream metallers Funeral for a Friend, brings us an album of stripped back country-flavoured ballads. As side-projects go, The Secret Show are an absolute world away from the distortion and anguish of FFAF with a constant, rich acoustic guitar scenting the tracks with root chord patterns and the odd nod to Dylan with minimalist percussion and the all-important harmonica. The title track is the weakest link of some pedestrian openers: 'Manana' has an ear-grabbing change of pace and 'Everyone's a Critic' stands out miles for its smart hoedown banjo line. The writing lacks imagination and the lyrics may fall short of the intelligence needed to carry the listener's attention. This album will unobtrusively meander around in the background of quiet nights-in and dinner parties, eager to be inoffensive. [Jamie Borthwick]